Game board puzzle with overlapping transparent strip members

ABSTRACT

A plurality of pivotal transparent strip members with indicia thereon arranged around the edges of a square playing surface and deployable against the surface in a preselected order to achieve a puzzle solution arrangement of the strips in an overlapped relationship such that the respective indicia are disposed in an alternating sequence.

United States Patent High July 1, 1975 GAME BOARD PUZZLE WITH 856,l96 6/1907 Lehman 273/155 OVERLAPPING TRANSPARENT STRIP 3,011,271 12/1961 Millspaugh 273/155 UX MEMBERS v FOREIGN PATENTS R APPLICATIONS 1 lnvemori Carl 5 High, 110 Sullivan New 423,605 2/1911 France 1. 273/155 York, N.Y. 10012 278,072 9/1927 United Kingdom 11 273/] 221 Filed: Sept. 16, 1974 pp NO 505 979 Primary Examiner -Anton O. Oechsle Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Serv No. 380 467, July 18, [57] ABSTRACT I973, abandoned. A plurality of pivotal transparent strip members with indicia thereon arranged around the edges of a square [52] US. Cl 273/155 playing surface a deployable against the surface in a 1 l 'f A63F 9/08 preselected order to achieve a puzzle solution arrange- [58] Field 01' Search .1 273/155, 157 A mam of the Strips in an overlapped relationship such that the respective indicia are disposed in an alternat- [56] References Cited ing Sequence UNITED STATES PATENTS 602,l 4/1898 Smith 273 6 5 Drawmg GAME BOARD PUZZLE WITH OVERLAPPING TRANSPARENT STRIP MEMBERS RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 380,467 filed July 18, 1973, and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Game puzzles for amusement are widely popular and the more compact the puzzle and the more intellectu ally demanding the solution the greater the popularity and duration thereof.

Of all the varied types of puzzles one of the types having long-standing and continuing popularity is that requirin g nothing other than the puzzle itself being of unitary construction so that no parts can be lost, and one that is compact enough to be carried in the pocket or purse.

In addition, puzzles that are more appealing to the intellectually mature are those whose solutions are not easily remembered once the solution has been first successfully determined. Otherwise the puzzle is a oneshot" type and of no continuing interest to the user.

The objects of the present invention include, among others that will become apparent below, fulfillment of the above-mentioned desiderata while at the same time providing such a puzzle that is easily fabricated, readily adaptable for changes in solution arrangement, and relatively light in weight, attractive in appearance and of durable construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In brief, the present invention comprises a small rectangular or square board having a playing area or surface surrounded by a plurality of strip members each pivotally attached thereto at one of its ends, the strips being arranged around the edges of said area in opposed pairs. The strips each have indicia thereon and are deployable against the surface in a preselected sequence which is required for solution of the puzzle to provide an overlapped relationship of said strip members wherein said indicia overlie one another in a given alternate pattern.

In a preferred embodiment the indicia are assorted red and black discs in an apparent random disposition, three on each strip, and in the solution arrangement of the strips the red and black discs on the overlying strips are disposed in alternating fashion from top to bottom at each location.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of the puzzle according to the present invention in open condition prior to use;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the puzzle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the puzzle of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the puzzle of FIGS. 2 and 3; and

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the puzzle in closed or overlapped relation of the strip members.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, the puzzle is designated generally by the reference numeral 10 and is comprised of a rectangular or square base member 11 carrying three rows of three symmetrically disposed circular indicia l2 thereon in the form of opaque or translucent discs being one of two colors, e.g. red I3 and black 14, in a predetermined but apparently random distribution as shown. Optionally, as shown, the red discs 13 are disposed in squares 13a having black backgrounds 13b and the black discs 14 are disposed in squares 14a having red backgrounds 14b, for contrast, if desired.

Along each of the four edge portions 15 of said base member 11 are disposed three transparent rectangular plastic strip members 16, pivotally joined to in any conventional manner, or integrally formed with, said base member 11 in a hinged relationship at their lower ends 17 as shown. Each strip 16 carries three similarly shaped circular indicia 12 corresponding to those of said base member 11 and adapted to register with the latter indicia when any such strip member is moved into overlying relationship with said base member (see FIGS. 1 and 5).

The strip members 16 are each movable from an open or flat position (see FIGS. 2 and 3) in the direction of arrow A (FIG. 1) to a closed or folded position (see FIG. 5) and, in a desired solution arrangement the strip members are overlapped with one another to bring their respective indicia into register to provide, for example, an alternating color sequence for each stack 18 of discs including those of the base members, which sequence can be observed by the person manipulating the puzzle while the strips are in such overlapped relationship.

The sequence of folding the strip members 16 against the base member 11 is at the decision of the person manipulating the same to achieve the desired solution of the puzzle although at least in the embodiment shown and discussed above only one solution is possible.

The indicia shapes and colors may be varied as desired and the particular solution arrangement can be selected for any particular form of game or puzzle as preferred. Suitable materials of construction are preferably any suitable plastics although any particular conventional materials may be used. The indicia may be printed, painted, or pasted on, etc.

Likewise, there are no dimensional limitations to the puzzle although in one preferred embodiment the base member measures approximately three inches on a side.

While one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that changes and additions may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

I claim:

I. A puzzle comprising a planar member having a playing surface thereon, a plurality of strip members pivotally mounted at their respective ends in an array around said playing surface, said strip members each comprised of transparent material and carrying a plurality of indicia disposed at spaced positions thereon generally along the longitudinal axis of the strip, said strip members being deployable in overlapped relationship with one another against said playing surface to provide a preselected arrangement of the indicia on adjacent strip members and an overall relative pattern and sequence,

2. in the puzzle according to claim 1, a first group of strip members constituted by matched opposed sets of aligned strip members disposed for pivotal movement toward one another into overlapped axially aligned relationship and with their respective indicia in overlying relationship, and a second similarly arranged group of strip members disposed at substantially right angles to said first group and movable into overlapped relationship with the strip members of said first group, each of the strip members of both groups being independently movable relative to the other strip members.

3. In the puzzle according to claim 2, the respective indicia of said strip members when the latter are in said overlapped relation being in a generally congruent relation and, in a preselected unique puzzle solution arrangement of said strip members, in a predetermined and observable sequential order.

4. in the puzzle according to claim 3, said planar member being square in configuration said strip members being rectangular and mounted in groups of three on each side of said square and when in overlapped relation. said strip members substantially covering the surface of said planar member 5. In the puzzle according to claim 4, said indicia being in the form of colored circles, a predetermined number being red and the rest being black and, in said unique puzzle solution arrangement the overlying indicia being in an alternating color pattern from bottom to top 6. in the puzzle according to claim 4, said playing surface having similar indicia thereon adapted to register with the indicia on said strip members when the latter are in said overlapped relation. 

1. A puzzle comprising a planar member having a playing surface thereon, a plurality of strip members pivotally mounted at their respective ends in an array around said playing surface, said strip members each comprised of transparent material and carrying a plurality of indicia disposed at spaced positions thereon generally along the longitudinal axis of the strip, said strip members being deployable in overlapped relationship with one another against said playing surface to provide a preselected arrangement of the indicia on adjacent strip members and an overall relative pattern and sequence.
 2. In the puzzle according to claim 1, a first group of strip members constituted by matched opposed sets of aligned strip members disposed for pivotal movement toward one another into overlapped axially aligned relationship and with their respective indicia in overlying relationship, and a second similarly arranged group of strip members disposed at substantially right angles to said first group and movable into overlapped relationship with the strip members of said first group, each of the strip members of both groups being independently movable relative to the other strip members.
 3. In the puzzle according to claim 2, the respective indicia of said strip members when the latter are in said overlapped relation being in a generally congruent relation and, in a preselected unique puzzle solution arrangement of said strip members, in a predetermined and observable sequential order.
 4. In the puzzle according to claim 3, said planar member being square in configuration, said strip members being rectangular and mounted in groups of three on each side of said square and, when in overlapped relation, sAid strip members substantially covering the surface of said planar member.
 5. In the puzzle according to claim 4, said indicia being in the form of colored circles, a predetermined number being red and the rest being black, and, in said unique puzzle solution arrangement, the overlying indicia being in an alternating color pattern from bottom to top.
 6. In the puzzle according to claim 4, said playing surface having similar indicia thereon adapted to register with the indicia on said strip members when the latter are in said overlapped relation. 